Gan Israel Camping Network
Encyclopedia
Gan Israel Camping Network is an umbrella term for a group of Jewish religious summer camp
s affiliated with the Chabad-Lubavitch
movement of Orthodox Judaism
. Most of these camps bear the name "Gan Israel."
The first Chabad-affiliated summer camp was a girls' overnight camp, Camp Emunah in Greenfield Park, New York (where it still located), founded in 1953 by Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht
. In 1956, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, directed some young men to open a parallel boys' overnight camp under the auspices of the Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch
organization. He chose the name Gan Israel ("Garden of Israel") for this camp, after the founder of Chassidism, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov. Camp Gan Israel moved to its current location, Parksville, New York
, in 1969.
Rabbi Schneerson also visited both of these camps in 1956 (before the camp season began), 1957 and 1960 (during the camp season). This was highly unusual in itself, as he otherwise almost never left New York City
throughout his tenure. Since the early 1990s, the Rebbe's visits have formed an important part of the oral history
of Camp Gan Israel in Parksville (and to a lesser extent, of the other camps in the network), and are frequently referred to in song and in print.
Other branches of Gan Israel overnight camps were founded in Montreal
(1958) (present-day location: Labelle, Quebec
); London, UK (c. 1960); Detroit, Michigan
(1961) (present-day location: Kalkaska Township, Michigan
); Melbourne, Australia (1960s); and others. In addition, several hundred Gan Israel day camps exist around the world (though some bear other names). The network claims a total enrollment of over 100,000 children.
Over 60% of the children that attend Chabad- Lubavitch summer camps are from unaffiliated Jewish homes. To this end, introductory classes and exciting programs present Judaism in a relaxed, user-friendly manner. In addition, a growing number of Chabad- Lubavitch summer camps are now equipped to aid children with special needs.
Today, Gan Israel offers much more than the traditional swimming and canoeing. Many camps now offer cyber art,wilderness survival, tennis, karate, and mountain biking. Special trips to theme parks, bowling and creative Shabbat overnights complement the spiritual programs that are the hallmark of Chabad-Lubavitch: Daily study and prayer, Jewish song and dance, ritual arts and crafts, and a wide variety of activities designed to generate interest and excitement in Jewish history, observance and the performance of good deeds.
• In the summer of 2003, more than 120,000 children attended Chabad-Lubavitch summer camps.
• More than 90% of the 8,500 counselors that staffed Chabad-Lubavitch summer camps in 2003 attended Chabad-Lubavitch summer camps in their youth.
Summer camp
Summer camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers....
s affiliated with the Chabad-Lubavitch
Chabad-Lubavitch
Chabad-Lubavitch is a Chasidic movement in Orthodox Judaism. One of the world's larger and best-known Chasidic movements, its official headquarters is in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York...
movement of Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
. Most of these camps bear the name "Gan Israel."
The first Chabad-affiliated summer camp was a girls' overnight camp, Camp Emunah in Greenfield Park, New York (where it still located), founded in 1953 by Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht
Jacob J. Hecht
Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht, known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe's right hand man, was a leading Chabad rabbi, educator, writer and radio commentator.- Achievements :...
. In 1956, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, directed some young men to open a parallel boys' overnight camp under the auspices of the Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch
Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch
Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch is the central educational arm of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Founded by the sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, in 1943, the organization was initially directed by his son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who would later become the seventh Rebbe...
organization. He chose the name Gan Israel ("Garden of Israel") for this camp, after the founder of Chassidism, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov. Camp Gan Israel moved to its current location, Parksville, New York
Liberty (town), New York
Liberty is a town in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The population was 9,632 at the 2000 census.The Town of Liberty contains a village of Liberty. The village is bisected by state route 52 and 55, and is crossed by New York State Route 17....
, in 1969.
Rabbi Schneerson also visited both of these camps in 1956 (before the camp season began), 1957 and 1960 (during the camp season). This was highly unusual in itself, as he otherwise almost never left New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
throughout his tenure. Since the early 1990s, the Rebbe's visits have formed an important part of the oral history
Oral history
Oral history is the collection and study of historical information about individuals, families, important events, or everyday life using audiotapes, videotapes, or transcriptions of planned interviews...
of Camp Gan Israel in Parksville (and to a lesser extent, of the other camps in the network), and are frequently referred to in song and in print.
Other branches of Gan Israel overnight camps were founded in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
(1958) (present-day location: Labelle, Quebec
Labelle, Quebec
Labelle is a village and municipality in the Laurentides region of Quebec, Canada, part of the Les Laurentides Regional County Municipality. Its large "L"-shaped territory surrounds Lake Labelle, and the village is located along the Rouge River and Route 117....
); London, UK (c. 1960); Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
(1961) (present-day location: Kalkaska Township, Michigan
Kalkaska Township, Michigan
Kalkaska Township is a civil township of Kalkaska County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,830 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
); Melbourne, Australia (1960s); and others. In addition, several hundred Gan Israel day camps exist around the world (though some bear other names). The network claims a total enrollment of over 100,000 children.
Over 60% of the children that attend Chabad- Lubavitch summer camps are from unaffiliated Jewish homes. To this end, introductory classes and exciting programs present Judaism in a relaxed, user-friendly manner. In addition, a growing number of Chabad- Lubavitch summer camps are now equipped to aid children with special needs.
Today, Gan Israel offers much more than the traditional swimming and canoeing. Many camps now offer cyber art,wilderness survival, tennis, karate, and mountain biking. Special trips to theme parks, bowling and creative Shabbat overnights complement the spiritual programs that are the hallmark of Chabad-Lubavitch: Daily study and prayer, Jewish song and dance, ritual arts and crafts, and a wide variety of activities designed to generate interest and excitement in Jewish history, observance and the performance of good deeds.
• In the summer of 2003, more than 120,000 children attended Chabad-Lubavitch summer camps.
• More than 90% of the 8,500 counselors that staffed Chabad-Lubavitch summer camps in 2003 attended Chabad-Lubavitch summer camps in their youth.